Made Crazy or Suffering Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Not Crazy, Just Brain Damaged!

Complex PTSD - It is an injury, not an illness!

Food For Thought

Links to related information and resources

Emotional abuse can be just as harmful as other forms of abuse. In fact, it can even be fatal. Severe
emotional, mental and/or psychological abuse has been compared to the psychological torture tactics used
by various military interrogators on enemy prisoners of war.

The
effects of prolonged emotional abuse can have devastating physiological
effects on a victim, and will almost always have lasting ill effects on
the victim's mind, due to the infliction of multiple psychiatric injuries. In extreme and/or prolonged cases of emotional, mental and psychological abuse, it can even induce suicide.

Non-violence & Equality

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Not Crazy, Just Brain Damaged!

Complex PTSD - It is an injury, not an illness!

Long term exposure to repeated emotional and mental abuse can result in Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Sometimes,
the term "psychosis" is applied to mental illness, and the term
"neurosis" to psychiatric injury. The main difference is that a
psychotic person is unaware they have a mental problem, whereas the
neurotic person is aware - often acutely.

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Why Domestic Violence is Often Overlooked

In relationships where physical abuse is absent or minimal, many
victims may think that they are not experiencing domestic violence.
Unfortunately this is often not true.A lot of victims of domestic violence might never experience physical
abuse, but they are not necessarily the lucky ones.

Emotional
abuse can
be just as harmful and even fatal. Severe emotional, mental and/or
psychological abuse has been compared to the psychological torture
tactics used in the interrogation of prisoners of war. In some cases,
it
can induce suicide.

I think
that emotional abuse is the core issue in any form of abuse. Most
victims would never tolerate from a stranger the abuse that they endure
from a family member or significant other. That is the power of the
perpetrator.

Personally, I have experienced emotional, physical,
mental, sexual, financial and verbal abuse as well as social isolation,
and I think that the emotional abuse is much worse than the physical
violence. Blood and bruises are tangible things. They are there, you
can see them. No-one can deny it. Other people can see them too, people
who will support you and give you hope if you let them.

The emotional hold that the perpetrator has over their victim is
invisible, both to them and everyone else, and it can be hard to wake
up to it because it never happens straight away, they suck you in first
and then slowly the mental manipulation creeps in and they change you.

Mental/emotional abuse is never obvious, and the injuries it inflicts
can be invisible, both to the victims and to others, and can take much
longer to heal than a few fractured bones. Indeed some bury so deep
that they never do. Because it is so hard to recognize, emotional abuse
is also very easy to deny. Words can be twisted and distorted to
justify and excuse, and of course the things that are said to hurt and
manipulate you are only said behind closed doors.

It can be hard to
remember exactly what was said when your world feels like it is caving
in, and the abuser will jump on this uncertainty to highlight your
insanity and to once again shift the focus away from his own appalling
behavior, which makes one feel unsure about what really happened,
compounding one’s confusion and distress, and deterring one from
objecting or trying to reason the next time it happens.

I'm sure you
can see why many people who have experienced emotional abuse describe
it as "crazy making stuff". It most certainly is!

Made Crazy or Suffering Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

In
reality, the common description of emotional abuse as "crazy making" is
actually quite appropriate. Long term exposure to repeated emotional
and mental abuse can result in Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is, as the name suggests, a more complex form of PTSD.

Both
disorders are experienced as a result of a psychiatric injury (in
layman's terms a type of brain damage), but where PTSD is usually the
result of one major psychiatric injury, and can usually be recovered
from in a relatively short period of time with the right support,
Complex PTSD, is the result of many psychiatric injuries, both minor
and major, that are inflicted over a long period of time. The symptoms
are also more complex, and so is the treatment, so the name is really
quite suitable.

The sad thing about Complex PTSD is that
recovery can take on average, 5 years, and can only begin once the
victim is removed from the situation that caused it, and given the
right support and treatment.

On the bright side, PTSD and Complex PTSD are psychiatric
injuries and they can be recovered from. The symptoms, such as anxiety
and depression, are not internal chemical imbalances, but reactive or situational disorders, and so people suffering from either disorder can make a FULL
recovery in
time. This is in contrast to other mental illnesses such as Personality
Disorders and Bi-Polar Disorder, which are the result of internal
chemical imbalances, and
although treatable, will never actually go away.

Food For Thought

Domestic
violence is reaching plague proportions in our community. It
does not just involve physical violence, and people need to recognize
this, especially the victims. In the end all we can really do is make
people aware of it and try to educate them. Patience and persistence,
as well as discretion pay off, but it still has to be their own
realization that makes them decide to go (or stay). As a community, we
can support, educate, and inspire, and most importantly, we
can model the right way to behave.

Staying Strong after Family Violence - Inspiration for MothersThis hub is for mothers who have separated from a violent partner, and who are trying to start a new life for themselves and their children but are still having to live with the ongoing trauma associated with attending family court, applying for rest

Please join me on FaceBook

STOP the Violence Against Women & ChildrenOrganize
to Resist! Together we can take on the Predators! Let's Break the
Silence to End the Violence by working together to make our voices a
Resounding SHOUT!!! Perpetrators BEWARE - you don't stand a chance!

Please Note:

All
names in this article have been changed for legal purposes and to
protect the privacy of the Author. Except where otherwise credited, or
where text forms part of an external link, this article is under the
following copyright:

All persons, places and objects shown in the images in
this hub are are shown for illustrative purposes only. They
bear no relation to any real person or event. All persons shown are paid models. Unless otherwise credited, all images are
under the following copyright:

Very well said, more food for thought for me to check into. Thumbs up, shared, linked, joining the crusade, onto visit the fb page. It is hard to recognize when the trauma of it has been with you all of your life. Hope, never give up on it, my key to survival.

Isaac J. Luzader-Hearn 5 years ago

I had quite a bit of traumatic events happen as a young child. I was in a car crash in 2002 at 9 years old with a severe head injury (a bacillary skull fracture,complete right facial spiderweb fracture, and the bones in my inner right ear crushed). Then for the next nine years was screamed and yelled at by my father and stepmother because I didn't do a simple chore. Nine years on a day-to-day basis this went on, my father stuck a big-l;abel called "bi-polar" on me because at the age of 14 I started getting feed up and yelled back with many times to be threatened with words like; "I brought you into this life and I can sure as F*** take you/ out." Others like being called "F***ing useless, worthless, pitiful, and even gay." By my father and stepmother. I didn't find out till March 13, 2012 that I was not bi-polar from 4 different psychiatric doctors but instead I had a generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I checked out a book today about mental illnesses and read under trauma that there is a disease called PTSD which I fit key-for-key under perfectly. I then got online tonight and looked up mental abuse induced PTSD, and found this webpage. Well I plan on checking with my pyshactrist next week and telling her this could be a possibility because I fit the part of someone with PTSD. Thank you "safe-at-last" for this post, it was very informative and truly made me realize this PTSD is a big possibilty.

~Isaac "J." L.-Hearn

Carol smith 5 years ago

I was in an emotionally abusive marriage for 40 years, 3 before. We are separTed so now 45. I'm a professional, minister, counsellor with grad degrees which harmed, I believe. Because I eventually understood his personality disorders, I thought I could help or withstand. I waited so long that at @68, I have debilitated physical health. I've had therapy and PTSD therapy but I cannot stop reliving sadness and anger for my experiences but for the dream that failed. I still love the best of his personas. I've reduced xanex to @ nil but I find it hard to go on, now having fear of leaving house. Surely, time for med but what? I'm on Cymbalta for abdominal migraines from Cerebral AVM which may have made me worse. Any professional advice? My faith is strong but not enough.

Kathy 5 years ago

@ John I understand your frustration, however, according to the DSM IV-TR, Personality Disorders are long term (as in lifelong) changes in a clients personality. While these can be treated with DBT yes, they cannot be errased and they are the hardest to work with. If you ask any therapist, professor of psychology or professor in the human services field they will tell you the same. Please before you make a judgement call read all the materials. We have to be understanding of where people are coming from.

I definitely appreciate this article as it has assisted me in finding information for papers that I am currently writing. As a survivor, my heart soars to hear stories of escape. As an advocate it makes me push harder in my postion and strive to eliminate domestic and all other violence.

Always remember when we work together we always get more done than when we work against each other.

John 5 years ago

The notion that personality disorders are stuck with you forever is a load of rubbish. Promising treatments such as DBT can do a world of good with a person who has BPD. Stop generalising personality disorders it was a good article until I read that crap.

I grew up in a home that had gross domestic violence and I really thought I escaped unscathed... Until I ot married. Yuk.

smbunlimited 6 years agofrom Washington

Well put. I have a daughter who had assistance from the local women's shelter and it is such an excellent resource in our community! My ex husband was very emotionally abusive, and occasionally physically so as well, and I believe that he was (is) bi-polar and with his chemical dependency (abuse) issues, it made his life hell and he felt out of control and blamed and on and on--I was at a place in my life where I felt "stuck" (financially, etc.) but eventually braved anything and everything to get out of it! My kids suffered but have rebound since being away--no one deserves to be abused and tormented-we're all in this thing called life together, why can't we all just get along!!

Barbara Turpin 6 years agofrom N. California

This hub was great...made me cry, and designated thru me.

I can verify this information....I was "the" child that went thru this same ordeal, in my childhood "safe" place. Same story, different type of 'domestic'

It takes YEARS to get past this. My brain KNOWS it was not my fault...my heart doesn't. I'm still envious when I see an adult child having a great relationship with a parent/s. I ache for that.

I can't change the past, I wish I could change my heart. I raised TWO children, was over protective, and BROKE the cycle. I'm proud of who my kids are today.

This was such a useful, informative hub, you wrote from your heart. Thank you.

I hope someone that needs help read this and got strength from your information and story.

Again, THANK YOU.

Aremelle 6 years agofrom NorCal

Oh my goodness, this hub/subject WOKE ME UP last November 2010. I bookmarked this page. In April '11, the xxxx hit the fan and I've since been through a world of hurt, i've even been arrested by the bugger, ALL because of a psychopathic partner who simply lost it when I spoke up to say. "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, I'm leaving." Whoa Boy, that did it! He went bezerk. As if all I'd lived through for 30 YEARSSSSSSSSS BEFORE that day wasn't bad enough.

He said something "cute" to me in the beginning, even continued to write it in bday cards etc: TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF. Well that meant--YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE. THIS sentiment is crystal clear now.

It's odd, I didn't think of my life there as abusive, I guess because indeed there were no bruises or broken bones; I suspected abuse in certain areas in recent years 5-7 but not the whole of the relationship until I found THIS HUB!!!I SWEAR IT. YOU SAVED ME!!! THIS OPENED MY EYES and got me to working on an escape.

I'm still caught up in legal matters with that Lizard and will speak of them another time. What I need now is a PROFESSIONAL site that speaks to this type of abuse, as YOU have---so I can show it to my lawyer.

I'll keep reading but please, if anyone knows what site I can access that will say the same things/explain this form of abuse, please let me know.

Thank You for ALL OF THIS...I too am thrilled that You-are-safe-at-last!!

Warm Regads, Aremelle in Calif. US

Rainbow 6 years ago

I have been diagnosed with Complex P.T.S.D & it is a very difficult & distressing condition. I am in Australia & thankfully have good support at the moment but this hasn't always been the case. Society in general simply does not know what Complex P.T.S.D is.

Friends, family, associates all stare at you blankly & it feels so isolating! Is there a support group anywhere in Australia or New Zealand???Please tell!!! Thanks, Rainbow

Max 6 years ago

Hey ppl i really need sum advice and help wot is z in al da above is wot iv bin goin thou 11yrs nw its tkn me ova 5yrs 2 realize and i reported it to my child skol,services and even were i worked (b4 i ended up gettin the sack n told iv got bipolar type 2) but no body believed me at all so me and my child r still goin thou the same abuse yet again if nobody wud believe me wen i reported my partner a few yrs ago they sure as hel nt guna help me or my daughter nw i feel so hopeless and that im failin to b a gud mother by nt protecting my daughter frm seeing wot her father is doin to me and i knw b4 long he wil strt tellin her shit again jst lik b4 she is 8 n dnt wnt her 2 end up lik me she already show signs that she got issues etc plz sum1 give me advice

Fran 6 years ago

Don't ever retaliate or stand up for yourself. Not even lawyers or the justice system can help. They will tell you you are crazy.

writer83 6 years agofrom Cyber Space

Great article - Thanks for taking the time to write this :_)

Nichole 6 years ago

Reading your hub really opened my mind. Now I know the cause of my long-term battle with depression. I didn't know that all this stuff (I've been verbally abused by my parents since 12) had a lasting effect. After leaving home (I jumped from the frying pan into the fire, so to speak), I immediately hooked up a with a guy I knew. I'd never been out in the world, and he seemed to be supportive. We got married a month later, and then the abuse started. Just verbal at first, then physical. I was so used to it from my parents, I just thought it was normal.

Then I got a black eye, and other things started happening. A year ago he moved us to China, and I've been completely cut off from any kind of society. I'm not allowed to have a job or learn the language.

I finally realized this is NOT normal, and now I need to get away. Unfortunately, I don't have the money. I'm trying to get some here and there online, but the thousand dollars for a plane ticket seems like a long ways off. Thanks for your encouraging hub.

michelle ashby 7 years ago

wow what an awesome Hub ,ive been domestic violence free a year now and when the Trials over will feel even more free,Im medicine free now,depression has gone and panick attacks,I have a clear mind and my daughters safe .There are to many laws to protect the Perpetrator and waiting 2 years for a rape trial is disgusting..

Wow what an amazing article and domestic abuse sure is wide spread.How heartbreaking this has become.

Penny C 7 years ago

I am happy too that you made it through. I've been there and it was terrible. It hurts to see people that you love lose control like that but we are never in control in those situations. I have PTSD too from a few years of really bad child abuse. The hardest part was finally accepting my mother's part in it. I just didn't want to imagine her using me in that way.

Than, because of religious brainwashing and an abnormal tolerance for abuse, I found it difficult to see just where the line really was? How much are we supposed to take from one person? I believe no God that is good would really condemn anyone to an abusive relationship. Neither, unfortunately, will any of them cure someone for you who cannot control their anger when suffering from addiction. It took me more than a few years to stop turning the other cheek and facing reality. Did I fail or did God fail? It just wasn't meant to be.

Behavioral Therapy helped me a lot. So did our Domestic Violence Center. I recommend it for anyone who finds their flashbacks are interfering in their everyday life.

It takes time for people with PTSD to train our minds to respond better to these abnormal responses to situations. It takes retraining your mind and body in a safe environment in a more efficient way. I still get upset when I see abusive scenes or some of the other things that trigger my memories but now I have learned behaviors to help stay in the moment instead of getting caught up reliving the night/daymares as intensely.

I hope you too are doing all right. Luckily, the whole world isn't completely screwed up and I hope you meet enough of the sane ones to keep your spirits positive as much as you can.

Take care. I get more hope whenever I find someone who survived a nightmare with their sanity. Even if it is only by a thread. We get through.